“Without my friends I got chaos
I’m off in a bead of light
Without my friends I’d be swept up high by the wind.”
–Big Star, “Thank You Friends”
Congressman Steve Cohen Commemorates Alex Chilton
http://youtu.be/H9LGwzGnx5w&w=560
It’s been a rough several months for Memphis. In a span of 7 months, the city lost Jim Dickinson, Jay Reatard, and Alex Chilton. That would be a tough decade, let alone year. And yet, the city remains officially resolute. This video has to be one of the top 33 1/3 moments in congressional history. Alex Chilton, Big Star, and The Replacements name-dropped on the House floor. Well done, Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN).
Big Star on NPR
http://youtu.be/CNVSjBRaJss&w=560
From an NPR profile recorded six weeks ago (2/2/10), Ed Ward calls Big Star “The Unluckiest Band In America.” A must-listen and probably a true statement.
Big Star – Thank You Friends
http://youtu.be/JC0Wa3P_dO0&w=560
Priceless Big Star video from 1971, shot by Chris Bell and Andy Hummel, and included on Oxford-American‘s “Best of the South 2008” DVD. Visit the OA page for more info on this amazing footage.
Big Star – Nightime
http://youtu.be/TF8fnoA1VNM&w=560
Elliot Smith – Nightime
http://youtu.be/mLRPvlvbSD8&w=560
Town Hall, NYC
February 22, 2000
“Get me out of here
I hate it here
Get me out of here.”
A chilling quote to think about with regard to Elliot Smith, unfortunate to think about with regard to Chilton. For those of you who want to ignore Smith’s annoying cadre of shouters, move ahead to 1:33. Sadly beautiful.
MORE CHILTON LOVE
Paul Westerberg’s eulogy in this morning’s New York Times is tone-perfect.
“Yeah, December boys got it bad, as ‘September Gurls’ notes. The great Alex Chilton is gone — folk troubadour, blues shouter, master singer, songwriter and guitarist. Someone should write a tune about him. Then again, nah, that would be impossible. Or just plain stupid.”
Rob Sheffield’s eulogy in Rolling Stone is a well-written personal reminiscence.
“Especially girls — for hipster gals who couldn’t necessarily relate to the abrasive machismo of Lou Reed or Iggy Pop, Alex Chilton was a dude who let female fans hear themselves in his music. Nobody was ever better at making Southern girls feel cool.”
Finally, I’ve updated my post from two years ago, Six Degrees: The Alex Chilton to Chris Bell Edition. You might remember it from such photos as:
“I’ll die and go to heaven
But you’re alive and well
You’ll be the Alex Chilton to my Chris Bell.”
–Grand Champeen, “The One And Only”
Westerberg hits the nail on the head. Perfect. Thanks for the link Lance.
The congressman's statement was very cool, but there is something ironic about his listing an acknowledgment by The Replacements as a measure of Chilton's popular influence.
Thanks Lance
I'm old enough that I actually listened to the Boxtops on AM radio in the 60s doing songs like The Letter, Cry Like A Baby and Neon Rainbow. You were sure resorceful in coming up with the Chilton videos. That was a nice tribute by Congressman Cohen. Think maybe chilton's in what the Righteous Brothers called “Rock N Roll Heaven?”
If Chilton ain't in rock 'n' roll heaven, rock 'n' roll heaven doesn't exist.
I'd just like to add It Came From Memphis author Robert Gordon's eulogy to your list:
http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/remembering-alex-chilton/Content?oid=2002169
Cool. Thanks Paul.